Fonds BF 2 - D. Grant Devine fonds

Donald Grant Devine was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on July 5, 1944 to Donald William Devine and Bette Jean Ford. He has one sister and two brothers. He was raised on the family farm near Lake Valley, Saskatchewan and attended Brownlee School.

In 1967, Devine obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. He also earned Masters degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration from the University of Alberta in 1970. After graduating, Devine worked as a marketing specialist with the Department of Agriculture in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1976, he earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University and joined the faculty of the University of Saskatchewan, where he taught Agricultural Marketing and Consumer Economics.

Devine's political career began in 1978, when he ran unsuccessfully in the Saskatoon Nutana constituency. He also lost a 1980 by-election in the Estevan constituency. Devine was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan on November 9, 1979. He was elected 12th premier of Saskatchewan and MLA for the Estevan constituency in the April 26, 1982 general election. Devine's term as premier dated from May 8, 1982 to November 1, 1991.

Devine held various Cabinet portfolios while serving as Premier: Minister of Energy and Mines (1983); Minister of Highways and Transportation (1985); Minister of Agriculture (1985-1989) and Minister of Agriculture and Food (1989-1991). He was also Minister Responsible for numerous agencies, boards and commissions.

Devine stepped down as leader of the Conservative party on October 8, 1992 and did not seek re-election in 1995. Larry Campbell Ward (NDP) was elected MLA for the Estevan constituency.

Upon retiring from politics, Devine returned to teaching at the University of Saskatchewan. He also operated Grant Devine Farms and Consulting Services Ltd. and served on the board of directors of Agrium Inc. In January 2004 after an unsuccessful bid as the federal Conservative party candidate for the riding of Souris-Moose Mountain, Devine ran as an independent in that riding and was defeated in the 2004 federal election.

Devine currently (2009) farms near Caron, Saskatchewan.

Grant Devine married Chantal Guillaume, a teacher, in 1966. They have five children: Michelle, Monique, David, John and Camille.

Robert Lynal Andrew was born on April 13, 1944 in Eston, Saskatchewan to Robert Elvin Andrew, an elevator agent, and Elizabeth Ann Ellis. Andrew received his primary and secondary education in Eston and earned Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Saskatchewan in 1966 and 1970 respectively.

Andrew's interest in politics was evident at an early age. In 1968, he worked on Robert Stanfield's federal election campaign and worked locally for the federal Progressive Conservatives campaigns in 1972 and 1974.

Andrew worked in the oil and potash industries in Saskatchewan and Alberta from 1967 to 1970, when he began practicing law in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. He was admitted to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1971 and was the senior partner in the Kindersley firm Andrew, Ritter, Chinn from 1973 to 1980. Andrew was a member of the Eston Town Council (1972-1974) and was active in the Kindersley community. He served as Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the Minor Sports Association and President of the Bar Association.

Andrew was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1978 and served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for the Kindersley constituency until 1989. Andrew served in the Grant Devine Government as Minister of Finance (1982-1985); Minister of Economic Development and Trade (1985-1988); Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1986-1989) and Minister of Trade and Investment (1988-1989).

Andrew was Minister Responsible for numerous agencies, boards and commissions including Provincial Auditor (1982-1985); Saskatchewan Assessment Authority (1982-1983); Municipal Financing Corporation (1982-1985); Treasury Board (1982-1985); Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (1983-1985); Crown Investments Corporation (1983-1986); Saskatchewan Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) (1985-1986); Provincial Mediation Board (1987-1989) and Office of the Rentalsman (1987-1989).

Andrew resigned from Cabinet on October 3, 1989. In December, 1989, he vacated his seat in the Legislature and became the agent-general in Saskatchewan's new trade office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bill Boyd (PC) became the MLA for the Kindersley constituency in October, 1991.

On November 22, 1991, Andrew was dismissed from his trade post when the NDP government closed all of the province's trade offices. Andrew was appointed to the National Energy Board in December, 1991. He moved to Calgary, Alberta and began his term in March, 1992. Andrew was fired from the National Energy Board in May 1997.

Andrew was a Canadian Permanent Fund Scholar in 1968.

Bob Andrew married Norma Lynne Tunall on December 22, 1964. They have four children: Robert, Kalen, Sharmen, and Dreeson.